Head

CONTROVERSIAL plans to help prisoners go straight, including cash payments of up £100, were revealed today.

Government minister Barbara Roche said the aim was to reduce the number of reoffenders.

At present 58 per cent of prisoners are re-convicted within two years of being released.

"Our plan is about reducing re-offending. We are coming up with a raft of recommendations which will be turned into an action plan."

She would not comment on rumours that the government has watered down plans to give prisoners a discharge grant of between £40 and £100, as well as help with housing benefit when they leave jail.

According to leaked reports, taxpayers could pay prisoners'' mortgages for up to six months instead of 13 weeks. And discharge grants may soar to £100 so they do not return to crime during their first week out of jail when they don''t qualify for benefits.